Has everyone been 100% true to their post-op diet?

[petuniap 2]

I was banded on April 27 and in the last few days, I've slipped on my diet...eaten things that are not really mushy. I think it's because I wasn't really mentally prepared for how hard this was going to be. I went shopping yesterday and bought the proper food to eat to help me right my ship and was just wondering if anyone has gone through the same thing.

*Please no lecturing responses. I understand the reasons for the post-op diet and I understand the risks of non-compliance. Just really looking more for support to stay on the right track now*

[terelbel 0]

Well let me be the first to say, NO! no and no! I wish I would have. I went through my cycle and craved so much it was ridiculous. But I too went shopping and got all the right foods and ready to do as I'm told. Can't wait for that first fill I'll tell ya that.....

[lingling 0]

Yep, I messed up my diet mainly by starting to integrate mushy food quite early - just basing it on my body's response which was fine - and then by integrating normal but mushyish food before I should have but again listening to my body - and it was fine, I must say I wish I hadn't as it makes me anxious about if my band is okay or if it has slipped (not knowing what it would feel like if it had) so I guess that's my main reason for wishing that I had stuck to it.

Hang in there - be kind to your body - it's healing - one way of dealing with it I found was to focus on consistency rather than what it was - I know probably not the best to do in terms of WEIGHT LOSS - but I thought to myself, long term, its better if I eat icecream but my pouch heals if i am gagging for something...? my two cents.

[petuniap 2]

Thanks for the responses, lingling and terebel. I've been doing much better and staying on mushies. What I am finding though is that my portion sizes are larger than they probably should be. Still hard for my eyes to adjust to what portion sizes are appropriate. But that will come with more practice.

Thanks again!

[finallyready@51 0]

Hi guys,

I gotta tell you I have been true to my post op plan. I am scared not to. I have had a lot of post op gass pains and actually had - lets say - bowel issues the first week. I had surgey on the April 30th and I am still on liquids. I added some peanutbutter to a shake and was worried about that. - I Know - whimpy. :mad2:

I get to start mushies on Friday of this week. I am glad but also a little scared. I still get that vagel-ly feeling sometimes when I eat.

[KMCD 0]

Hi all, I posted a similar thread and I have to say, it was wise of you to put boundaries on your thread about no lecturing. I received more than a few lecturing responses and I just felt worse about myself. When I finally checked it out with the doctor (after beating myself up), they said it was fine and I should progress my diet as I needed.

I just noticed today that I really don't have any restriction now and I'm back to having the head hunger that makes me want to eat even when I know that I'm supposed to be full. I have my first fill on the 28th and I'm really looking forward to it. Nervous and excited! I am sure it will work because right after the surgery (when I guess there was still swelling), I was happy as a lark to push my plate away and be done with dinner!

I have lost 17 pounds and the doctor seems happy with that. I'm just pleased that I've done it (the surgery), I'm committed to it (and yes, not following the crazy post op diet doesn't mean you aren't committed to losing weight!) and I'm moving forward. I even took a couple of really long walks that made me sweat like crazy just because it felt so good! Now THAT is something new for me!

Be nice to yourself and keep plugging along. Good luck on the weight loss front.

P.S. my doctor also said that they expect you to gain a little weight before your first fill (after having lost weight on the preop diet) and not to "freak out" (his words exactly). He said that the fills will help a lot. Take care!

[KMCD 0]

Oops and I meant to also say, a 12 pound loss is great! Even if its pre op. I wouldn't worry about it, do what you can and congratulate yourself for making such a big change in your life. We didn't become fat over night. Changing our habits doesn't happen overnight either. Sorry to ramble on and on in two posts! Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!

[ALuv82 0]

I've been pretty good but I can't say I was 100%. 2 times while still on liquids I had runny scrammbled eggs. I was a little worried so I chewed, took the worlds tiniest bites and ate super slowly. It took me about 45 minutes to eat them both times. I also went to the diner once for lunch with people from work and ordered matzo ball Soup for the brouth and ate a little of the matzo. Then Itook my mother out for Mother's Day which was the last day of the liquid diet and I started mushies then--1 meal early. I've been true to the mushie diet so far though. I've been on that since Mon (well, Sun night technically) So far the mushy food is still satisfying to me. Although I think that my surgeon/nutritionist's definition of mushy is pretty wide. I can have thin sliced deli meat, ground turkey or beef, soft cheese. I never really thought of that stuff as mushy before. I have just over 1 week of that left. As of now I'm not suffering from hunger at all, except occasionly right before I'm due for a meal anyhow.

Obviously it's best to follow your surgeon/nutritionist's diet plan but after a life time of bad habits it's hard not to slip up a little. It sounds like you're back to following the plan. Just take it one meal at a time.

[petuniap 2]

Thanks KMCD and ALuv82 for the wise words. I've been doing much better on mushies. I am looking forward to ending mushies in 2 more days! My first fill is scheduled for a week or so after I end mushies and not a moment too soon as my hunger is returning.

Thanks again for the support!